Troubleshooting Windows 95 Backup

• Microsoft Windows 95

SUMMARY

This article describes troubleshooting tips that you can use for Microsoft Backup.

MORE INFORMATION

Tape Drive Not Detected

Verify that the tape drive you are using is supported by Microsoft Backup. For information about supported tape drives in Backup, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q124730
   TITLE     : Tape Backup Units Supported in Windows 95

Problems Restoring Files

If you experience a problem restoring files, follow these steps:

1. Refer to your tape backup unit's documentation for the proper cleaning instructions, then clean the tape drive.

2. Set your computer to a slower speed (for example, turn off turbo mode).

3. Try to restore the files in Safe mode. You can start Windows 95 in Safe mode by pressing F5 at the "Starting Windows 95" message or by pressing F8 at the "Starting Windows 95" message and then choosing Safe Mode from the Startup menu.

   NOTE: If the tape backup drive requires the existence of a protected- mode driver, it will not work in Safe mode. For example, Colorado Trakker drives do not work in Safe mode because VCOMM does not load.

4. Try to restore the files on a different computer.

5. Verify that there is enough swap file space. The size of the swap file grows with the number of files involved in the backup, restore, or compare operation.

Problems Backing Up or Restoring Over the Network

If you cannot back up or restore files over a network, try a different network protocol, or try to copy a large file across the network with the XCOPY command. This problem is usually related to the network or network configuration and not Microsoft Backup.

Tape Cannot Be Formatted

If the tape cannot be formatted, try these steps:

1. Verify that you are using a compatible tape format. For example, you cannot format a 3010 tape in a QIC-80 drive and you cannot format a QIC-80 wide tape in a QIC-80 drive.

2. The tape may be bad or worn out. Try to format a different tape.

   NOTE: While it may be possible to format the tape by degaussing (or bulk-erasing) the tape, this will not correct or repair a damaged tape. There are two reasons why you may be able to format a degaussed tape:

       - The bad block count (which is stored in the header of the tape) is
         set to zero.
   

       - The bad blocks appear to be corrected, so that the tape works until
         the bad blocks are detected again. If you use such a tape, you may
         encounter errors again, or you may not be able to recover data
         after performing a backup, since data may be stored in a bad block
         on the tape.
   

3. Try to format the tape in Windows 95 Safe mode. You can start Windows 95 in Safe mode by pressing F5 at the "Starting Windows" message or by pressing F8 at the "Starting Windows" message and choosing "Start Windows, bypassing startup files" from the Windows 95 Startup menu.

   NOTE: If the tape backup drive requires the existence of a protected- mode driver, it will not work in Safe mode. For example, Trakker drives do not work in Safe mode because VCOMM does not load.

4. There may be a video DMA conflict. Start the format operation, then try the following steps:

   a. Minimize the progress indicator. If formatting still fails, try

         step B.
   

   b. Change the video resolution to 640 x 480 x 16 colors. If formatting

         still fails, try step C.
   

   c. Try formatting the tape in a full-screen MS-DOS command prompt

         session. If this works, use Device Manager to look for a DMA
         conflict between the video card and the floppy drive controller.
   

Tape Despools

If tapes you use in your tape drive frequently despool, the end-of-tape sensor in your tape drive may be dirty or damaged. The end-of-tape sensor detects the end of a tape by projecting light through a series of holes near the end of the tape. If the bulb used to project this light is dirty or is damaged, the light may not be strong enough to project through the holes. This prevents the drive from accurately determining when the end of the tape has been reached.

Many drive manufacturers recommend cleaning the end-of-tape sensor after every eight hours of drive operation, when excessive dust or other debris accumulates on the sensor, or when a tape used in the drive becomes despooled. For information about cleaning the end-of-tape sensor in your tape drive, refer to the documentation that came with the drive, or contact the drive manufacturer.

Tape Comparison Fails

If the tape comparison fails, try the following steps:

1. Bulk-erase the tape.

2. Try a new tape.

Cannot Access Tape Drive and Backup Stops Responding

If Backup is unable to access the tape drive and appears to stop responding (hang), there may be a resource conflict between IDE devices in your computer. For example, your Syquest removable drive may be configured to use the same resources as your tape drive.

To resolve this behavior, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID : Q133240
   TITLE      : Troubleshooting Device Conflicts with Device Manager

   ARTICLE-ID : Q153471
   TITLE      : Problems with Removable IDE Drives in Windows 95

Colorado Trakker Tape Backup Unit

If you are experiencing random problems with a Trakker tape drive on a parallel port, make sure the parallel port is not configured in the computer's CMOS settings as an ECP or EPP port. If it is, use the computer's CMOS Setup utility to reconfigure the port to a standard parallel port. For more information about the computer's CMOS Setup utility, please consult your computer documentation or manufacturer.

Iomega QIC-80 Tape Backup Drives

Iomega Technical Support states that these drives require new drivers from Iomega. You may also need to verify that the following line exists in the Config.sys file:

   Buffers=30

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

If you continue to have problems with Backup, follow these steps:

1. Refer to the tape backup unit's documentation for the proper cleaning instructions, then clean the tape drive.

2. Verify that all of the power connections are securely and properly attached.

3. Verify that the jumpers are set in a compatible mode (please refer to the tape backup unit's documentation for the proper settings).

4. If you have an internal tape drive, position it as far as possible from the hard disk. If you have an external tape drive, position it as far as possible from the monitor.